UTBMS Code L330 — Depositions
Preparation for, attendance at, and follow-up from depositions of fact witnesses, including both defending and taking depositions. This covers the full deposition lifecycle from outline preparation through transcript review.
schedule When This Code Is Used
When the legal team is preparing deposition outlines, conducting deposition preparation sessions with witnesses, attending and participating in depositions, and reviewing deposition transcripts afterward.
warning Common Billing Violations
Sending multiple attorneys to depositions where only one is asking questions, billing 2-3 attorneys for 7 hours each
Over-billing deposition preparation time, particularly for minor or non-critical witnesses
Charging full attorney rates for transcript review that could be summarized by a paralegal
Block billing 'prepare for and attend deposition' as a single entry spanning 10-12 hours
timer Typical Hours
Preparation per deposition: 3-5 hours (key witness), 1-2 hours (minor witness). Attendance: 4-7 hours. Transcript review: 2-4 hours.
flag Red Flags to Watch For
More than two attorneys billing for the same deposition day without prior client approval
Preparation time exceeding the actual deposition duration for a non-critical witness
Transcript review billed at partner rates when a paralegal summary would suffice
Deposition attendance entries from attorneys who did not ask questions or defend the witness
check_circle Best Practices for Review
Limit deposition attendance to one attorney unless prior client approval is obtained for additional staffing
Set preparation budgets per witness based on witness importance: 3-5 hours for key, 1-2 for minor
Require that deposition transcript review be performed at the lowest appropriate billing rate
Mandate that each attorney attending a deposition specify their role in the time entry
link Related Codes
analytics Key Statistics
The average deposition costs $4,000-$10,000 in attorney fees alone, excluding court reporter and transcript costs
Source: ACC Litigation Cost Benchmark Study, 2023
Remote depositions reduce total deposition costs by 30-45% by eliminating travel time and expenses
Source: CLOC State of the Industry Report, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
What does UTBMS code L330 cover for depositions? expand_more
UTBMS code L330 covers all deposition-related activities including preparation, attendance, defending depositions, and post-deposition analysis. It applies to fact witness depositions during the discovery phase, while expert depositions fall under L340.
How many attorneys should attend a deposition under L330? expand_more
Best practice limits deposition attendance to one or two attorneys without prior approval. Sending three or four attorneys to a single deposition is a common source of billing inflation. In-house teams should require justification for each additional attorney attending.
What are red flags for deposition billing under L330? expand_more
Watch for excessive preparation hours relative to deposition length, multiple attorneys attending without defined roles, duplicate 'deposition summary' billing by multiple timekeepers, and travel costs for depositions that could have been conducted remotely via video conference.